Photographic element containing a processing liquid



June 10, 1952 w. J. MccUNE, JR

PHOTOGRAPHIC ELEMENT CONTAINING A PROCESSING LIQUID Filed Oct. 9, 1948 VENTOR Patented June 10, 1952 PHOTOGRAPHIC ELEMENT CONTAINING A PROCESSING LIQUID William J. McCune, Jr., Cambridge, Mass., as-

signor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Delaware ApplicationOctober 9, 1948, Serial No. 53,632

(Cl. Z50-68) 12 Claims. I l

This invention relates to photography and more particularly to novel photographic products such as film units including a plurality of photosensitive layers and a processing liquid for accomplishing a predetermined processing of each of said layers.

This invention is related to copending application Serial No. 729,579, led February 19, 1947, now Patent No. 2,565,376, entitled Photographic Product and Process and application Serial No.

Cil

727,384, led January 14, 1947, entitled Photographic Product and Process, now abandoned and replaced by copending application Serial No. 185,642, led September 19, 1950, now Patent No. 2,565,378, entitled Photographic Product.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide improved lm units of the above type which are simple and cheap to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a lm unit wherein a plurality of photosentitive surfaces are provided and a single liquid container is arranged so as to permit discharge of the contained liquid therefrom and spreading of this liquid across said surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a product which can be formed into a film unit of the above type and wherein two lphotosensitive layers are carried on opposite sides of a base and a single container is associated with said two photosensitive layers to permit coverage of both said layers by a processing liquid released from said container.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a lm unit of the above type, particularly adapted for dental X-ray work, wherein the processing liquid is confined in a container having an area substantially as large as the area of two photosensitive layers to be covered thereby and said film unit is arranged to permit spreading of said liquid in two separate layers across said two photosensitive layers.

StillA another object of the invention is to provide-an X-ray film unit of the above type wherein the liquid container is arranged to withstand extremely rough usage without rupture thereof and from which the contained liquid may be discharged and collected in a conned space, the liquid being distributed, afterk discharge, adjacent both sides of a double layer photosensitive assembly in position to be spread in two uniform layers across said two photosensitive layers.

These and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the product possessing the features, properties and the relation of components which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic fragmentary sectional view of one form of lm unit embodying the present invention;

Fig. la is a diagrammatic sectional view of the lm unit oi Fig. 1 during processing;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic fragmentary sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along line 2 2;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional fragmentary view of another modification of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional fragmentary view of still another modification of the invention.

In general this invention relates to novel photographic lm units. The film units preferably comprise a photosensitive assembly, including a pair of photosensitive layers carried by opposite sides of a base, and a container releasably carrying a liquid vprocessing agent. The container is so related to the photosensitive assembly that the liquid released therefrom may be spread over both sides, of the photosensitive assembly so as to simultaneously process both photosensitive layers thereof. In one preferred form of the invention the container is positioned on one side of the photosensitive assembly adjacent an edge of an image area thereof adapted to be exposed to actinic radiation. In this form of the invention the container is spaced from this edge of the image area by a small amount and the liquid in the container is confined in an area smaller than the image area to be covered by the liquid. This liquid is distributed in the container parallel to the edge of the image area adjacent which the container is positioned. The container mouth, through which the liquid is released, preferably runs parallel to this edge so that the liquid can be discharged from the mouth and spread towards the edge of the image area. Between the container mouth and the edge of the image area, there is provided a passage for the processing liquid, this passage extending from one side of the photosensitive assembly to the other side thereof. For assisting at least in the spreading of the liquid and also for supporting dry process- 3 ing ingredients, there are preferably provided two backing layers as a part of the lm unit, there being one such backing layer on each side f the photosensitive assembly. These backing layers, or continuations thereof, are preferably coextensive in area with the image area of the photosensitive assembly and preferably overlie at least the container mouth and the liquid passage eX- tending through the photosensitive assembly.

Where the viscosity of the processing liquid is high, which is a preferred situation,- the lm unit, including the photosensitive assembly and the backing layers, preferably includes a liquid barrier. This barrier, in one preferred case, is only temporary and the barrier is'spaced Yalong the lm unit from the container mouth, the liquid' passage being positioned between the barrier and the container mouth. A preferred type of film unit also includes a relatively permanent edge seal along the nlm unit, this edge seal extending along the twoedges of the nlm! unit from at least the container mouth to the-temporary barrier. With such an arrangement? of elements,rthe liquid released from the container mouth and spread towards the image area is confined in a space including one backing layer, the photosensitiveV assembly, thetemporary barrier, and the two edge seals; Thus, as spreading of the liquid continues, the hydraulic pressure increases due to the presence of the barrier and theliquid,

released on only one side of" the photosensitive assembly, is forced throughA the liquid passage so that the processing liquidi is divided between both sides of the photosensitive assembly.

Referringnow to Figs. 1- and 2, there is shown one such pref-erred` embodiment of the invention. The nlm" unit-, generally indicated at l0, comprises aphotosensitive assembly I2 including arst layer I4 of a photcsensi'tive material and a second layer IS of a photosensitive material,- tliese-two layers'beingsupportedon opposite sides of a base i8 whichis preferably transparent to the radiation used to expose the photosensitive material inV layers I4 and IS. A liquid-carrying container Zi?, containing a predetermined quantity ofa liquid processing agent 22, ispreferably positioned in the nlmunit atone end thereof. The two-photosensitive layers are preferably silverhalidel layers and the liquid 22 preferably comprises a viscous aqueous alkaline solution of a developer and a silver halide solvent. This container is spaced fromALA the-adjacent edge of animage area 24 of the photbsensitive assembly 12T adapted to be exposed to aetinic radiation, and isso positioned that a liquid-releasing mouth 26 of the container faces thisy adjacent edge of the image area. Between the mouth 26 and the edge of Y the image area there-is` provided aliquid passage 2S shown as a plurality of holes extending from that side of photosensitive assembly I2 which supports container! 2d to the other side thereof. For assisting in spreading the processing liquid, there is provided a pair of backing layers S, each backing layer 3B preferably including an outer actinic light-opaque stratum 32 and an inner stratum 34v4 which may include dryprocessing materialsA for aiding the processing of the two photosensitive layers. In this preferred form shown, the two backing layers arev superposed with the' container and photosensitiveassembly positioned therebetween. These two backing layers are preferably sealed together at their overlapping edges so as to provide a liquid-tight seal-38 (see Fig. 2) along the edges'of the'lm unit. The left-hand ends ofthe n ferredV form as a pair of pressure rolls 42.

various layers of Fig. 1 constitute a leader portion 39 for the film unit. For providing a temporary barrier to the spread of the liquid released from the container mouth and spread towards the image area 21S, there is provided a releasable seal lill, such as a strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive, extending transversely of the lm unit.

Referring now to Fig. la there is shown a schematic view of the operation of the nlm unit of Fig.V l during the processing thereof. For accomplishing this processing there is provided a means furnishing a pair of pressure-applying surfaces; this means being illustrated in a pre- When the backing layers 3S of the film unit ID are opaque to normal light, the photosensitive assembly I2 may be exposed to ionizing radiation, suclias X-'rays or radium rays, and the pressure rolls 42 need not be in a light-tight housing. These rolls Ymay be driven by a suitable motor or a" hand crank and are preferably formed ofstainless steel. The rolls are preferably under a heavy spring loading to permit generation of suitable high pressures during operation. Means, such as spacers or collars, are preferably included on the rolls to' predetermine the minimumspacing' of the pressure-applying surfaces of the rolls, this minimum` spacing being on the order of the thickness of the various layers plus the thickness desired for the two layers of spread liquid.

After' exposure'of the photosensitive assembly l2, such as to' X-rays, the leader portion 39 of the film' unit i's inserted between rolls 42 and the nlm unit'is advanced through the rolls by pulling the leader portion 39' or suitably rotating the rolls. As the container 20 enters the bite of the rolls, the liquid therein is forced from the folded edge to the sealed inouth'ZS thereof, the liquid' pressure generated being suicient to rupture the seal along the mouth and to force 'theV liquid from this mouth. Further movement. ofV the container forces substantially all of the liquid therefrom andthe liquid is spread towards the temporary barrier seal 40. Whenspreading of the liquid is prevented by the temporary seal 4B, the hydraulic pressure thereinfisf increased and, since the edge seals 38 prevent escape of the liquid from the film unit, the liquid isv forced through the passage 28 and thus is divided between the two sides of the photosensitive assembly I2. This condition of distribution of the liquid in the film unit is shown in Fig, la. Further movement of the film'unit through the 'rolls increases' the hydraulic pressure on the liquid to suehran'extentthat the temporarybarrier seals di)V ar'eruptured and the liquid islspr'eadf down bothlsurf'ac'esl of the photosenstive assembly. This liquid is spread in two uniform thin layers which 4laminate the two backing layers 30to the two photos'ensitive layers included in-'the photosensitive assembly I2.

In a preferred form of the invention for use -in X-ray'wo'rk', the photosensitive assembly includes a-.base IS- of cellulose acetat'egvfor example, carrying two relatively thinA gelatino silver halide emulsion layers. When a negative image is the end' product most desired. the gelatine silver halide emulsion preferably comprises an emulsion similar to motion picture release positive made vby Eastman' Kodak Co. In this case the liquid processing agent 22 preferably comprises a viscous alkaline aqueous solution of a developer, a silver halidesolvent andalm-forming material.

Eample 1 100 lgramsv 5% water -solution of sodium carboxy-v methyl-cellulose 15 grams sodium sulte 20 grams sodium hydroxide 12 grams hydroquinone 30 grams sodium thiosulfate With such an emulsion and liquid composition, the backing layers 30 preferably comprise outer layers32 of a suitable opaque material such as leaderstock laminated to inner layers 34 of baryta paper, for example. The container sheet 20 is preferably formed of a paper-backed metal .foil sheet coated on its inner surface with an alkali-inert plastic such as polyvinyl butyral.l

The metal foil sheet is folded and sealed along the mouth 26 and along the two ends, the mouth seal 26 being weaker than the end seal due to the inclusion of a strip of ethyl cellulose at the mouth seal. The barrier seal 40 preferably comprises a weak adhesive, for example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive such as a blend of unvulcanized rubber, a tack-producing resin and a softening or plasticizing agent. This pressure-sensitive adhesive is preferably coated, in a narrow strip, on layer 34.

When the liquid processing agent 22 is spread on the surfaces of the two exposed photosensitive layers I4, I6 and their respective superposed backing layers 30, the developer develops the exposed silver halide grains and the silver halide solvent forms soluble silver complexes with the unexposed silver halide grains, transporting the silver complexes from the silver halide layers to the liquid layers and the surfaces of layers 34 to x the developing negative images.

When a pair of positive images is desired as the end product of the process, the two gelatino silver halide emulsion layers Preferably comprise relatively fast gelatine iodobromide emulsions such as Verichrome or Triple S Pan coated on a cellulose acetate or paper base. With such a pairV of emulsion layers the liquid processing agent' 22 preferably includes the following ingredients:

' Example 2 1860 cc. of water 107 grams medium viscosity sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

12.1 Ygramsliigh viscosity sodium carrboxymethyl cellulose.

78.0 grams of sodium sult 74.6 grams of sodium hydroxide 14.5 grams-of sodium thiosulfate 38.5 grams of citric acid 52.0 grams of hydroquinone 1.5 grams of chlorobenzotriazole For use with the liquid of Example 2, and the ,fast emulsions, the inner strata 34 of the backing layers preferably comprise baryta paper treated in accordance with the following nonlimiting example:

Example 3 seconds. A mixture is then prepared by thoroughly mixing the following ingredients:

2700 cc. of water 278 grams of cadmium acetate 278 grams of zinc nitrate 93 grams of lead acetate 300 grams of silica aerogel 927 grams of a 3% water solution of s-odium sulfide This mixtureis then applied to the previously prepared loaryta paper by running the paper through a bath of the mixture and removing excess by means of a soft rubber roll rotating counter to the direction of travel of the sheet.

When the liquid of Example 2 is spread between the exposed fast emulsion layers land the loaryta sheets of Example 3, negative images are developed in the emulsion layers and positive images are concurrently produced on the inner surfaces of the two baryta layers 34.

After the lm unit has been processed to obtain either positive or negative images, or both, by spreading the processing liquid in accordance with the above-described procedure, the various layers are left in the form of a composite lamination for a suiicient time (1 to 2 minutes) to allow the processing reactions to go to completion. The two backing layers are then separated from the photosensitive assemblyto reveal the processed images. Where a negative image is desired the backing layers may be discarded, while where positive images are desired the photosensitive assembly may be discarded.

While one preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above, numerous changes may be made therein without departing fromthe scope of the invention. For example, the :barrier seal 40 may comprise numerous types of adhesives or mechanical bonds vother than that shown and the barrier may not extend continuously Y across the film unit. While a continuous barrier is preferred it may equally comprise ay plurality of spaced barriers which resist the spreading of liquid to a suicient extent to force a part of the liquid through passage 28. Equally passage 28 may comprise one hole instead of several as shown. At least one backing layer. 30 may be transparent to permit exposure of the photosensitive vassembly to actinic light. Additionally one or both of these layers may be unsealed along the edges thereof, particularly those portions of the edges to the right of barrier seal 40 in Fig. 1, to permit movement of one or both of these layers from superposition with the photosensitive assembly during exposure thereof.

In another modification of the invention, shown in Fig. 3, the photosensitive assembly is arranged so that it may be mounted in a photographic de-v vice, such as an ordinary or X-ray camera, in a roll separate from the backing layers. In this form of the invention, the photosensitive assembly I2 comprises the two photosensitive layers I4 and I6 coated on opposite sides of base I8. The photosensitive assembly I2 is connected, in a preferred form, to the container 20 by means of a pair of edge strips 44 lwhich preferably extend from the corners of the leading edge I 2a of the assembly I2 to the ends of the container 20, thus leaving an open passage 28 between the leading edge I2a and the mouth 26 of the container. The folded edge of the container is preferably similarly secured by another pair of edge strips 48 to the next preceding Iphotosensitive assembly in the roll of assemblies and con- 1 taine'rs. A pair of backing layers 5i! 'are shownl as being formed intoacoxnposite-structure withthe photosensitive assembly and its associated container. For the purpose of providing aspace between facing surfacesA ofV the backing layers 50 and their adjacent photosensitive layers there are provided several spacing members 52.0n each side of the leading edge .Ia` of the photosensie tive assembly. Thus, when the liquid 22, released from container mouth 26, is spread towards leadingl edge I2a of assembly I2 there-are two openings for the liquid to enter. Due to this arrangement, the liquid w-ill'be substantially `evenly divided between the` twof sides of the photosensitive assembly I2. rlfhe spacinglmembers 52= may also have-the function ofY serving as artemporary barrier to theI spread of the liquid, thus additionally assuring the equal distribution of the liquid between the two sides of the photosensitive assembly I2.v The spacing members 52- are preferably secured to'photosensitive assembly I2', but they may be secured. tobacking layers 56- in those cases where registration of the various elements is assured by the camera or by suitably associating the elements with leaders or the like. Each backing layer 58 preferably comprises an outer stratumv 54 and an: inner stratum 56 which are formed of materialsl stated as being preferable for` the corresponding strata 32 and 34 of Fig. 1'.V The photosensitive layers I4y and it and thefliquid22, of theFig. 3 modification, preferably comprise the materials mentioned' in the discussion of like' elements of Fig. 1.

In the use of the invention of. Fig.v3', theA photosensitive layersr I4 and I6 are exposed to suitable radiation, such as X-raysor visible-light, and the thus exposed photosensitive assembly I2 is thenform'ed into the composite structure shown in Fig..3'with the two. backing layers on either side thereof.A The compositestructure so formed may then be passed between a pair ofY pressureapplying surfacesr such as the pressure rolls 42 of Fig; la. As the container passes between therolls, the liquidis. released from mouth 2tr` and spread towards. the leading edge I2av of thephotosensitive assembly. As the liquidV reaches edgev I2a it is divided thereby and passes into the openings provided by the spacing members 52' ont each side of the assembly, these spacing members preferably acting as a sufficient barrier l tothe passage of the liquid. to assure theY substantially even distribution of this liquid onv each side of assembly I2'a.v The spreading ofy the liquid is then continued until there exists a layer of the spread liquid on each side of the' photosensitive assembly. The4 photochernical processing is then allowed to continue to completion and the various layers` are separated to give positive or negative images,` as the case may be.

While the modifications O'fV the invention d'e-y l scribed above have been directed to iilm units` and products of general photographic utility certain features of the; present invention. render it particularly adaptable for dental or industrial X-rayusev where the film unit is apt. to be bent or otherwise deformed during positioning for ex,- posure. A iilm unit so designedV isl illustrated; at 60 in Fig. 4 where like numbers refer to like elements in the preceding iigures. TnV this forni of the invention the photosensitive assembly I2 includes the two silverhalide photosensitivel layers I4 and IGvcoated on thebase I-S. Mounted; on one side of the photosensitive assembly I-Z-'Yis a iirst backing layer 62. A similar backinglayer 64 is mounted on the other side of assembly I2.

8 Between` the secondbacking: layer 64 endian outside cover` layer 66', there is; provided. az liquid container 68 holding a predetermined quantity of the processing liquid 2'2; The container comprisestwo walls 'I0 and 'I4 sealed `together to; form a liquid-releasing mouth, 12. Wall..ll1',.of container 68, preferably extends beyond thereontainer mouth 'I2 and is secured to the.right.hand end of the photosensitive, assembly., can.. be seen, the container 68 covers. anfarea substantialiy as large as the area of the photosensitive assembly to be exposedto actinic: radiation;,.and the liquid is. distributed: in a relativelyzthinlayen throughout the area of the container.; By; means.

ofthis arrangement relatively` large areas of: the:

container walls may be pressed; together under; an' extremelyy high pressure to c ausea.; displace-z ment of the: liquid; between the pressedl areas;` 0f. the: Wall withoutv generating s uicient' hydraulic pressure ini, the liquid to rupture the container.

mouthor end seals.

In a preferred formof tlieginventionv of Figui they two backing layersY 62, 64 comprise;barytal paper, and the photosensitive: assembly I2 comA prises` they materials mentioned previously;v The..1

aA waterproof extensiblev` plastic sheet; such -asi polyvinyl butyralor polyvinyl chloride, whichcontains atleast a stratum which is. opaque1 J00:

nornal visible light to,- for-m a light-tightflm. um

In the use of theinvention of Fig. 4-the-1ilms unit 60 is positioned in the-patients mouthwith. the lower side of the iilmV unit facing, theA source of X-rays or radiumV rays.k When the exposure:- is. made, the lead foilfforiningj a, stratumof the container wall, acts. as anantibackscatter screenso that thesha-rpness'of theexposedlatent image is maintained. The left'end of` the film; unit then introduced between a pair of'plressurel rolls., for example, and the/.film unit is advanced. through these rolls. As the film unit advanced, the liquid 22 in container 68 is forced towards the mouth 'I2 at thev right-hand end of the iilm unit, enough liquid being iinallymoved towards` mouth T2 to cause thel rupturingfof the: mouth seal and the discharge of the. liquidstherefrom. When the iilmV unit has advanced.n sufliciently far so that the container mouth has just passedbetween the rolls, the liquidY will have"V been forced' into the right-hand end of the` film unit, completely filling this end, thel 1iquid,being divided between the two sides of the lphotosensitive assembly by means of the-liquidpassagei28'. Adm vancement of the -lm unitis now-stopped,or the. rolls are separated to prevent the creation of an unduly high hydraulic pressure in. the liquid. The. nlm: unit isnow advanced through a second i pair of pressureL rolls, theA direction of travel during. this second passage of the nlm unit being opposite to the direction of travel during its firstpassage. Equally the same pair of pressure rolls can be used by reversing the film unit. During the second travel of the iilm4 unit thel released liquid isspread; fromttheV right-hand. end4 ofA the nlmA uniti betweeny backing; layer 644 and photo@` sensitivelayer Ill, on one side of thephotosensi-:- tive assemblmandebetweenbacking layer.` 6.2 andphotosensitive layerv I:6; onthefotherside of the photosensitve assembly. Any excess liquid being spread, when the end of the photosensitve assembly is reached, is trapped in the left-hand end of the lm unit, this trapping being aided by the extensible nature of the outer layers 66 which permits the connement of a relatively large quantity of excess liquid in this left-hand end of the film unit. After a suitable processing time the various layers are separated to reveal the developed and fixed negative images in layers I4 and I6.

Instead of having an extensible outer cover as the liquid trap, the film unit may include relatively incompressible edge spacing strips at the end of the photosensitve assembly for separating the liquid-spreading rolls and thus causing the cessation of spreading. This type of trap is particularly useful for those forms of the invention illustrated in Figs; 1 and 3. Additionally, transversely extending shoulders or suitable indicia may be provided on the film unit to either stop the film unit or to indicate to the user thereof that the iilm unit should not be advanced any further.

Numerous other modifications of the invention are feasible and within the scope thereof. For example, the film units of Figs. 1 or 3 may be processed in an apparatus where two pairs of pressure rolls are provided, one of these pairs of pressure rolls being positioned just in advance of the liquid-spreading pressure rolls so as to press the two backing layers against the photosensitve assembly. In such a case, no temporary barrier is necessary in the film unit since the extra pair of pressure rolls acts as the liquid barrier and forces a part of the liquid released from the container through the liquid passage. With such a modication of the invention, it may be desirable that the advance pressure rolls be separated during the further spreading of the liquid so as to simplify the creation of uniform layers of the spread liquid. This separation may be provided by including transversely extending shoulders on the edge of the lm unit adjacent the image area thereof, these shoulders acting to separate the advance pair of rolls so as to make these rolls inoperative during spreading of the liquid across the exposed image area.

The modification of the invention described in connection with the discussion of Fig. 3 is particularly useful in those cases where a number of different photographic effects may be desired when using the same type of negative material and processing material for succeeding images. Thus, for example, the rst image area may be processed to give a high contrast picture, while the next succeeding image area may be processed to give a low contrast image, the difference in contrast being obtained by using different types of backing layers 50 for succeeding image areas, thus giving the user of a hand-held camera, for example, wide latitude in the photographic processing reactions available.

Since certain changes may be made in the above product without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A photographic product comprising a photosensitive assembly which includes a first silver halide photosensitve layer, a base supporting said first photosensitve layer on one side thereof and a second silver halide photosensitve layer supported on the other side of said base, said first and second photosensitve layers having aligned predetermined areas adapted to receive imageforming actinic radiation; a liquid-carrying container having a predetermined quantity of liquid processing agent, said container having a discharge mouth adjacent an edge of said predetermined areas; means providing a passage for said liquid processing agent from said one side of said photosensitve assembly to said other side of said photosensitve assembly; a backing layer arranged to assist in spreading said liquid processing agent across said first photosensitve layer. and a second backing layer arranged to assist in spreading said liquid processing agent across the second photosensitve layer, said two backing layers being at least coextensive in area with said aligned predetermined areas, the adjacent surfaces of each photosensitve layer and its respective backing layer being separable so that liquid discharged from said container may pass between each said photosensitve layer and its respective backing layer.

2. The photographic product of claim 1 wherein said means providing a passage comprises an aperture through said photosensitve assembly.

3. The photographic product of claim 1 wherein said means providing a passage comprisesa plurality ofapertures through said photosensitve assembly.

4. The photographic product of claim 1 wherein said liquid processing agent comprises a viscous aqueous alkaline solution of at least one reagent from the class consisting of the silver halide developers and the silver halide solvents,

5. The photographic product of claim 1 wherein the two backing layers serve as image-receiving sheets upon which positive prints of the subject matter of latent images in said photosensitive layers are obtained.

6. A photographic product comprising a photosensitive` assembly which includes a first photosensitive layer, a base supporting said first photosensitive layer on one side thereof and a second photosensitve layer supported on the other side of said base, said iirst and second photosensitive layers having aligned predetermined areas adapted to receive image-forming actinic radiation; a liquid-carrying container having a predetermined quantity of liquid processing agent, said container having a discharge mouth adjacent a pair of edges of said predetermined areas; means providing a passage for said liquid processing agent from said one side of said photosensitive assembly to said other side of said photosensitve assembly, said passage comprising an aperture through said photosensitve assembly; a backing layer 4arranged to assist in spreading said liquid processing agent across said rst photosensitve layer, and a second backing layer arranged to assist in spreading said liquid processing agent across the second photosensitve layer, the respective adjacent surfaces of said photosensitve layers and said backing layers being releasably sealed along said pair of edges of said aligned predetermined areas to form a pair of liquid barriers, said respective adjacent surfaces being spaced from each other throughout the remainder of said predetermined areas whereby pressure progressively applied to consecutive portions of said backing layers causes said liquid processing agent to be emitted from said discharge mouth, thence to be spread over one photosensitve layer and to be temporarily halted 111 patone iliquid barrier, and to be spread through -said .passage and over said other photosensitive layerfandto 'be temporarily `halted at the other liquid barrier, ycontinued Aprogressive pressure eventually rupturing saidtemporarybarriersand thence spreading said liquid acrosssaidpredetcrl.mined-areas of said photosensitivefllayers.

, 7.' Theiphotographic product'of claim f1 Wherein said -means providing a passage comprises spacer members adjacent said pair-of edges-f said .predetermined areas, said spacer members `-being `jpositioned between said photosensiti-ve vlayers and their respective Vbacking "members -whereby each photosensitive layer andfits respectiva-backing member are --slightly separated.

38. The photographie product of clairnl wherefinsaid discharge mouth of said :liquid-carrying container is releasably sealed andsaid liquidcarrying container Aincludes Vflexible flat surfaces parallel to and substantially as large asione ',of .'saidiprcdeterminedfareas, v'the Vthickness 'of 4said :container being small relative-to thefarea` of -said flexible Pat surfaces 'wherebyfsaid' liquid processing agent is distributed throughout said 'con- `--tainer in'afrelatively thin layer 'so that-a high rcoxnpressive vforce Yapplied 'ite Asaid `-,container throughout a large Varea Tthereof Ais incapai'ole Vof generating :a suiiicient ,hydraulic g pressure to rup- :tintesaid.ireleasably-sealedidischargemouth.

C9. .'Azphotographic productfcomprisingfaphotosensitive assembly which includes a rstrphotolsensitive layer, a'rbase supporting-saidjrstphotosensitive layer von nneside ithereof and a: second photosensitive :layer supported `on :the other side 'o'f saidbase,` said `iirst and; second '.photosensitive layers .having aligned :predetermined areas adapted to receive image-forming iactinic radiation; Ja :liquid-carrying vcontainer :having apredetermined quantity `of :liquid processing agent, said-container having a discharge `mouth yadjacent an edge of said predeterminedrareas; means providing Ia passage for said liquid v.processing agent lfrorn said -one :side of said .photosensitive assembly-to said .other side of saidphotosensitive assembly; V a backing layer :arranged to assist in spreading said liquid-*processing agentacrosssaid first yphotosensitive layer, and a second backing layer arranged -Yto yassist in -spreading said liquid processing -agent across the secondrphotosensitive layer, said two backing layers'being at least'coextensive in area Withsaid raligned `predetei-mined arcas, the adjacent surfaces of each photosensitive layer `and its respective backinglayer being separable so that -liquid discharged from said container may pass betweeneach said photoi' sensitive rlayerand its respective backing layer.

A10. Thephotographicproduct of claim vlwherein each of `said backing layers comprises a iirst 1:2 stratum adjacent said -,photosensitive assembly 'and parallel -to the plane :of said `photosensitive assembly, said -rst lstratum ibeing :opaque -yislual flight, tand .av-.second l stratum :positionedfbetween'said iirstr ,stratum and said photosensitive assembly, said second stratum beingfimpregnated with :dr-y processing'fmaterials for .aiding the rprocessing of @its respective `,photesensitive flayer. 311. The photographic Kprcduct of claim i120 wherein said liquid-carrying V.container `.is-positioned between said first and second strata.

v12. A photographic `product comprising a photosensitive-:assembly which -includes @a L'rst fphotosensitive*fsilverhalideilayer, abasesupporting ssa'rd `irst :photosensitive layer ton one side -thereofzand vva'isecond'rphotosensitivefsiliter#halide :layer `.supported on :the fotherlside 'of 'said rbase, said :rst and tsecond-;photosensitive :layers shav- ,ing aligned .predetermined .areas 'adapted #toiref-ce'ive :image-@forming actinic radiation; aaa {liquidmarrying :container for a :'predeterminedsquantity zofyliqnidaprocessing agent, :said :container :having -xa discharge .mouth adjacent ian n'edge of fone rdf said predetermined areas; and means providing ,fa .passage Ior .,-said liquid 'processing .zagent from 'said one side I'of 'said '.,photosensitive assembly ato said other-,side .of -said photosens'itive assembly, whichipassage-communicates with the discharge :mouth of said container Awhereby said liquid processing agent?mayihavetaccessatofsaid firstsand fsecondzphotosensitivelayers upondischargeirom =said^liquidcarryingtcontainer.

'WILLIAM `J. `MCCUNE, vJR.

REFERENCES 'CITED The. following .references :are :of :record in :the .le of .this patent:

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9. A PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCT COMPRISING A PHOTOSENSITIVE ASSEMBLY WHICH INCLUDES A FIRST PHOTOSENSITIVE LAYER, A BASE SUPPORTING SAID FIRST PHOTOSENSITIVE LAYER ON ONE SIDE THEREOF AND A SECOND PHOTOSENSITIVE LAYER SUPPORTED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID BASE, SAID FIRST AND SEOCND PHOTOSENSITIVE LAYERS HAVING ALIGNED PREDETERMINED AREAS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE IMAGE-FORMING ACTINIC RADIATION; A LIQUID-CARRYING CONTAINER HAVING A PREDETERMINED QUANTITY OF LIQUID PROCESSING AGENT, SAID CONTAINER HAVING A DISCHARGE MOUTH ADJACENT AND EDGE OF SAID PREDETERMINED AREAS; MEANS PROVIDING A PASSAGE FOR SAID LIQUID PROCESSING AGENT FROM SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE ASSEMBLY TO SAID OTHER SIDE OF SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE ASSEMBLY; A BACKING LAYER ARRANGED TO ASSIST IN SPREADING SAID LIQUID PROCESSING AGENT ACROSS SAID FIRST PHOTOSENSITIVE LAYER, AND A SECOND BACKING LAYER AREANGED TO ASSIST IN SPREADING SAID LIQUID PROCESSING AGENT ACROSS THE SECOND PHOTOSENSITIVE LAYER, SAID TWO BACKING LAYERS BEING AT LEAST COEXTENSIVE IN AREA WITH SAID ALIGNED PREDETEMINED AREAS, THE ADJACENT SURFACES OF EACH PHOTOSENSITIVE LAYER AND ITS RESPECTIVE BACKING LAYER BEING SEPARABLE SO THAT LIQUID DISCHARGED FROM SAID CONTAINER MAY PASS BETWEEN EACH SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE LAYER AND ITS RESPECTIVEBACKING LAYER. 